23 March

The government of Thailand has closed the Thai-Myanmar friendship bridges No. 1 and No. 2 yesterday and today respectively, Kayin State Hluttaw Representative U Than Zin Aung said.

Myanmar migrant workers were returning crossing the Bridge-2 yesterday one day ahead of the closure. Local authorities and health workers and officials from Nay Pyi Taw, Hpa-an, Kawkareik and volunteers screened the migrant workers for the COVID-19 infection at the border gates.

“Thai authorities issued the announcement today. The number of returnees from Thailand is rising. So, we will negotiate Thai authorities to give more time to Myanmar migrant workers to leave Thailand for home,” said U Thant Zin Aung. To control the Coronavirus infection in the country, Thai government decided to close all border routes, except trucks carrying goods. But, the driver and conductor will be allowed only after they received checks for COVID-19 infection, according to Thai authorities.—Htein Lin Aung (IRPD)(Translated by Kyaw Zin Lin)